Enlightenment by Barbara Clegg

Author:Barbara Clegg [Clegg, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426195375
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1984-05-14T22:00:00+00:00

8

The Buccaneer

The Doctor knocked impatiently on Tegan’s door. ‘Hurry up!’ he said, for about the fifth time. ‘I’m being as quick as I can!’ a muffled protest came from the cabin. The Doctor sighed and raised his voice even louder. ‘The launch will be alongside in a moment.’ And then there was a click of the knob, the door opened, and Tegan came out.

But it was a transformed Tegan who stood there. The pearly satin of the Edwardian ball gown made her skin seem more lustrous than ever; the low-cut bodice revealed elegant sloping shoulders, and a diamond tiara sparkled in her hair. He nodded approval, but before he could say anything there was a juddering under their feet and the whole floor started to vibrate. A jarring impact made Tegan clutch for the door, and the ship seemed to shudder convulsively. ‘We’ve been hit!’ the Doctor said. ‘You mean – we’re under fire?’ Tegan gasped. The next minute Marriner hurried round the corner. ‘Quick! Follow me!’ he called out. Something rocked the ship main, so hard that all three nearly lost their footing. ‘The wheel-house!’

Marriner yelled, disappearing from view. And the Doctor grabbed Tegan’s hand and pulled her along after him.

‘Point-and-a-half to starboard…’ They could hear Striker shouting directions to the helmsman even before they reached the door. ‘Topgallant’s gone, sir!’ came from Marriner. And then Striker’s voice again. ‘Take in more sail!’ As they rushed in, Marriner was bawling down the speaking-tube, ‘Take in more sail! Batten down the hatches!’ Then they caught sight of the port ahead and stopped dead in their tracks. They were in the middle of an asteroid storm. The view through the screen was terrifying: showers of rocks were hurtling towards them at breath-taking speed. A fusillade of small asteroids could be heard hitting the hull of the ship, and every so often there was a thud and a jar as a larger fragment caught them.

‘They must know how to avoid a collision!’ said Tegan, appalled at the thought of what would happen if a really massive asteroid hit. ‘They must – with all their technology!’

‘They may choose not to use it,’ the Doctor replied. ‘It might be against the rules of the race.’

Tegan looked at him in blank horror. ‘We could be splintered to matchwood!’

‘I don’t think that worries them,’ the Doctor answered.

He was looking at Marriner, and as her eyes followed his, she saw that the First Mate was thoroughly enjoying himself. On Striker’s face there was a look of ecstasy as he gazed into the teeth of the storm.

At the wheel of the Buccaneer, Wrack was alight with the same excitement and pleasure. Turlough, standing at her side, found her enjoyment of the danger quite incomprehensible.

‘Captain –’ Mansell’s urgent voice sounded from the doorway, ‘Davey’s ship is gaining on us.’

‘Good!’ Wrack exclaimed, to Turlough’s surprise. ‘Take the wheel.’ And as the officer jumped to obey she went on, ‘We’ll wait till she’s alongside. Be ready to move away from her fast when I activate.

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